Frank R. Lillie House

The Frank R. Lillie House is a three-story brick residence with distinctive diamond-shaped patterns on the South Kenwood Avenue within the University of Chicago campus grounds. The building features flat facades and a characteristic roof design that exemplifies early 1900s architectural details.

The residence was completed in 1904 by architects Pond and Pond, representing innovative design thinking for that era. The building received National Historic Landmark designation in 1976 due to its architectural and historical contributions.

The house reflects Prairie School design principles, an architectural movement rooted in the Chicago area that emphasized horizontal lines and integration with the landscape. These ideas shaped how the building looks and connects to its surroundings.

The building is located at the corner of South Kenwood Avenue and East 58th Street, accessible on foot from main campus areas of the university. Visitors should know that the structure currently serves administrative functions and access may be limited to exterior viewing.

The residence housed Frank R. Lillie, an embryologist whose research into sex determination and hormonal factors in organisms was groundbreaking for biology. His scientific work conducted here fundamentally shaped our understanding of developmental processes.

Location: Chicago

Architects: Pond and Pond

GPS coordinates: 41.78940,-87.59280

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:45